August 12, 2011
Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
jbuck@nasa.gov
RELEASE: 11-264
NASA CREATES HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS DIRECTORATE
WASHINGTON -- NASA has announced the creation of the Human Exploration
and Operations (HEO) Mission Directorate. The new organization, which
combines the Space Operations and Exploration Systems mission
directorates, will focus on International Space Station operations
and human exploration beyond low Earth orbit.
"America is opening a bold new chapter in human space exploration,"
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "By combining the resources
of Space Operations and Exploration Systems, and creating the Human
Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, we are recommitting
ourselves to American leadership in space for years to come."
The new organization combines the talents, skills and experiences of
the two previous directorates. It more fully integrates the operation
of NASA's in-space assets and current capabilities with planning for
the agency's future, including the size and type of the work force,
facilities and contracts.
While the transition and personnel assignments will take several weeks
to finalize, the HEO Mission Directorate already is supporting space
station operations. The directorate also will manage commercial crew
and cargo developmental programs; construction of the Orion
Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, a spacecraft designed to travel beyond
low Earth orbit; development of a new heavy lift rocket, known as the
Space Launch System; and other programs within the directorates.
Associate Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier will head the new
organization. He previously served as the associate administrator for
Space Operations.
For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov
-end-